Chapter 1

Whilst researching the first chapter of the Captain Pugwash Mysteries, ‘Keep the Home Fires Burning,’ I was sent several newspaper cuttings from 1851 and an extract from another newspaper dated 1853. These give a snapshot into the life, and death, of Joseph Cristall & Sons, ship-breakers of 294 Rotherhithe Street, Rotherhithe and the tools and materials to be found at their riverfront yard.

The following notice appeared in the Newcastle Journal on Saturday, 7th June 1851 following the death of the yard’s owner, Mr Joseph Cristall.

‘TO SHIP OWNERS, SHIP BUILDERS, SHIP BREAKERS, SHIP CHANDLERS, SAIL AND MAST MAKERS, TIMBER MERCHANTS, BUILDERS, CARPENTERS, IRONMONGERS, MARINE STORE DEALERS, ROPE MAKERS, AND OTHERS.

MR MARSH has been favoured with Instructions from the Executors of the late Mr Joseph Cristall to SELL BY AUCTION, on the premises, 294 Rotherhithe Street, Rotherhithe, on Tuesday next, June 16th, and Five following Days, Saturday and Sunday excepted, at Eleven o’Clock each Day, the FIRST PORTION of the EXTENSIVE and IMPORTANT STOCK comprising New and Old CANVAS, SAILS of various kinds, COIR, MANILLA and BOLT ROPE, HEMP CORDAGE, RIGGING and JUNK, Hambro’ Lines and Twines, Running Rope, Oakum, Bunting and Flags, Hammocks, Marryatt Signals, Books of Codes, Sail Thimbles, New and Second-hand Iron-bound, Iron and bush BLOCKS, Log Reels, Hanks, Mast Hoops and Sheaving, Marine and Azimuth Compasses, Harpoons, Spades and Lances, Muskets, Musektoons, Boarding Pikes, Cutlasses and Shovels, SHIPS CHANDLERY, of all descriptions, including Paints, Oils, and Colours, Tar, Pitch, Rosin, Dudley Nails of all Sizes, Small Chain, Hooks and Thimbles, Handspikes, Mops, Brooms and Brushes, Cork Fenders, Buoys, Single and Double screw Jacks and Screws, Claw Stoppers, Binnacles, Pots and Kettles, Signal and other Lanterns, Deck and Dead Lights, Copper Powder Magazines, Copper and Metal Sheathing and Nails, Marling Spikes and Corking Irons, Deep Sea Leads, Time Glasses, Ship Scrapers, &c. and Extensive Assortment of SHIP’S IRONMONGERY, Hoop and Sheet Iron, row Bars, Case and Fish Hooks, Gammoning Plates, Creepers, Gins, Shackles, Can Hooks, Grindstones, Edge Tools, Rim and Bolt Locks and Bolts, Hinges, Wire, and Tin Ware of all Descriptions.
The Sale of the SECOND and THIRD PORTIONS will take place within a few Weeks, due Notice of which will be given. The Stock consists of CHAIN CABLE, ANCHORS, CARRONADES and GUNS, Two Superior Long NINE-POUNDERS, on carriages, Contents of Blacksmith’s Shop and Tools, Steel, Copper, Brass and Lead, English, American, and African ELM, Pine Logs, Planks, Deals and Battens, Old Timber, Floors, Futhooks, Beams, Quartering, Panelling, and Oak Firewood.
The Premises, which are within Two Minutes’ Walk of the Tunnel Pier, abut on the River, and afford every Facility for Removal by Water. May be Viewed Two Days prior to Sale. Catalogues may be obtained at the Queen’s Head Inn, Newcastle, and at Mr MARSH’S Offices, 2, Charlotte Row, Mansion House, London, or will be forwarded on Application.’

A further notice was posted in the Newcastle Journal of Saturday, 5th July 1851.

‘TO SHIP AND BOAT BUILDERS, SHIP OWNERS, SHIP BREAKERS, SHIP CHANDLERS, MAST AD ROPE MAKERS, IRON AND ANCHOR SMITHS, TIMBER MERCHANTS, BUILDERS, MARINE STORE DEALERS, AND OTHERS

MR MARSH has received Instructions from the Executors of the late
Mr Joseph Cristall, to SELL BY AUCTION, on the Premises, 294, ROTHERHITHE STREET, Rotherhithe, on Wednesday next, July 9th, and Three following Days, at Eleven o’Clock, the SECOND PORTION of the Valuable and EXTENSIVE STOCK, comprising Foreign PINE, FIR, and ELM TIMBER, deals and Battens, Round ENGLISH OAK TIMBER, Spars and Oars, Ships’ Boats, New and Old Rope, large Iron-bound Purchase and other Blocks, Oak Treenails, Rough Handspikes, Hickory Billets, Chain Cable, Iron Knees, Breast Hooks, Anchors, Guns, Carronades, TWO SUPERIOR LONG NINE-POUNDERS on CARRIAGES, Shot Hawse Pipes, Wrought and Cast Iron, Lead, Copper, Brass, and Steel, Fire Engine and Hose, Ship-breaker’ Tools, Boom Irons, and useful Ironwork from Old East Indiamen, suitable for Ship-builders, and Miscellaneous Effects. May be Viewed. Catalogues may be obtained on the Premises; and at Mr MARSH’S Offices, 2, Charlotte Row, Mansion House, London, or will be forwarded on Application.’

A third and apparently final notice appeared in the Chelmsford Chronical of Friday 5th December 1851

‘OLD SHIP TIMBER, ON THE PREMISES, NEAR THE THAMES TUNNEL, ROTHERHITHE MR ROGERS

Will Sell by Auction, on Tuesday December 9th and the following day, by order of the Executors of Mr Joseph Cristall, deceased, the Remaining Stock of Old Ship Timber, from Ships of War and East Indiamen, consisting of Oak Beams, Floors, Futtocks, and other Timbers; Oak and Fir Plank, River Lighter, Etc.
On View Three Days preceding the Sale; Catalogues had on the premises, and off the Auctioneer, Lewisham,’

On Monday, 5th February 1853 the Morning Post reported:

‘EXTENSIVE FIRES – GREAT LOSS OF PROPERTY

a fire broke out, a few hours previously, in the stores of Messrs, Christall [Cristall] & Co Timber Merchants and dealers in ships’ stores, at Rotherhithe, which destroyed a building nearly 80feet long and all it contained. The sufferers were insured in the London Fire-office.’

Going, going, gone -THE END